New Delhi: OpenAI, in collaboration with the Indian government’s IndiaAI mission, has launched ‘OpenAI Academy India’ — the first international expansion of its educational platform — aimed at significantly expanding access to artificial intelligence (AI) skills across the country.
This major initiative is designed to enhance AI education and provide tools to India’s rapidly growing developer community, leveraging the nation's robust digital infrastructure and thriving startup ecosystem. The academy will contribute directly to the IndiaAI Mission’s ‘FutureSkills’ pillar by providing widespread training in AI competencies for a broad spectrum of learners, including students, developers, educators, civil servants, nonprofit leaders, and small business owners.
Offering a mix of digital and in-person learning tailored to India’s unique needs, the platform will initially be available in English and Hindi, with content in additional regional languages to be introduced in future phases.
Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, welcomed the launch, stating, “This is a significant step towards advancing our shared goal of democratizing access to knowledge and technology. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is committed to ensuring that the benefits of cutting-edge innovation reach every citizen.”
Vaishnaw emphasised that by providing access to the latest AI tools and frameworks, the academy will empower Indian startups, developers, and researchers to innovate more rapidly and effectively. “The launch of OpenAI Academy will strengthen India’s AI Mission by enabling greater community learning, fostering innovation, and accelerating the development of locally relevant solutions,” he added.
As part of the initiative, OpenAI’s educational content will be made available on the government’s iGOT Karmayogi platform, which is focused on enhancing the capacity of government officials. Initially available in English and Hindi, the materials will soon be translated into four additional regional languages to ensure broader outreach.
The initiative also includes a series of periodic webinars and in-person workshops conducted by OpenAI experts and partner organisations in six Indian cities. Furthermore, OpenAI will provide up to $100,000 worth of API credits to 50 IndiaAI Mission-approved fellows and startups to support innovation and application development.
In a significant move to bolster foundational AI understanding, OpenAI has committed to supporting the training of one million teachers across India in the use of generative AI technologies.
Jason Kwon, Chief Strategy Officer at OpenAI, highlighted the country’s fast-paced AI evolution, saying, “India is one of the most dynamic countries in the world for AI development, with adoption and innovation accelerating at remarkable speed. We’re proud to partner with IndiaAI to launch OpenAI Academy India and help more people gain the confidence and skills to use AI meaningfully in their work, communities, and lives.”
With IANS inputs